(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents Secret Garden, honoring the life and work of Gordana Jerosimic. Co-curated by Andrea McKenna and Ivy Huang of IMUR Gallery, this solo exhibition will be on view at the Art House Gallery from March 6-29, 2026.
In loving memory of Gordana Jerosimic (1953–2025), Secret Garden honors an artist whose practice was defined by generosity, imagination, and lifelong artistic growth.
“Presenting Gordana’s work is essential not only to preserve her legacy, but to recognize the quiet yet profound impact she had as both an artist and educator. Her participation in last year’s inaugural Jersey City-wide arts competition for students aged 14–21 — now renamed Secret Garden — intentionally echoes her earlier solo exhibition at IMUR Gallery of the same title. The naming creates a direct lineage between her practice and the competition’s values: inner worlds, symbolism, and creative freedom, offered forward to the next generation.
“Gordana’s interpretations of nature and its inhabitants are so intricately constructed that, from a distance, her work appears almost photographic. Up close, the delicacy of her linework and bold, intentional use of color reveal a richly imagined world that invites viewers to linger. Each piece balances precision and fantasy, creating a captivating visual experience. I am honored to collaborate with Ivy in presenting this beautiful body of work.” — Andrea McKenna, Gallery Director, Art House Gallery
The exhibition opens during JC Fridays on Friday, March 6 from 6:00pm–9:00 pm, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, March 7 from 5:00pm–7:00pm. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm–4:00pm. All artwork will be available for purchase in person at Art House Gallery, 345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ, and online via the Art House Online Gallery.
Gordana Jerosimic Goga was a Fort Lee, New Jersey–based artist and educator. Born in Belgrade, Serbia, she lived from a young age in Belgium, Poland, and the United States. In 1998, she relocated permanently to the U.S. and continued traveling extensively throughout her life.
Gordana believed deeply that art brings cultures together and that embracing the best of each culture strengthens the world. Inspired by nature, she began her career as an illustrator before evolving into painting, creating intricate botanical compositions unified into architectural, immersive forms. Rooted in memory, perception, and quiet observation, her work also reflected a concern for climate change and environmental preservation.
“I draw fragments of nature held close in moments of quiet observation. Through fluid marks and organic forms, I explore the fragile balance between growth and decay, presence and disappearance. Working in series, my paintings reveal flowers as living structures — petals stretched over veins and ribs suspended between vitality and desiccation. Within this tension, cycles of birth, destruction, and renewal unfold, reflecting nature’s enduring beauty and awe.” — Gordana Jerosimic Goga
As founder of IMUR ART, Ivy Huang works at the intersection of curatorial practice, cultural production, and long-term artist advocacy. She approaches the gallery as a living ecosystem grounded in research, dialogue, and sustained engagement. Through IMUR Gallery, she prioritizes depth over trend — investing in studio visits, archival research, education, and cross-cultural exchange. Her practice emphasizes context and continuity, supporting artists across generations and constructing narratives that situate art within lived experience rather than spectacle.
“By foregrounding the work of art educators, we affirm the importance of those who shape creative futures while sustaining their own artistic voices, often beyond the spotlight. This exhibition holds particular meaning for IMUR Gallery, as Gordana was the first artist we represented. Continuing to present her work is an act of gratitude and responsibility — honoring our beginnings and ensuring her vision remains visible and alive.” — Ivy Huang
ACCESSIBILITY: Large-print materials and tactile, descriptive tours are available upon request. For more information, contact Andrea McKenna at [email protected].
Art House Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the performing and visual arts in Jersey City, NJ. Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Art House fosters creativity, inclusivity, and accessibility through theater productions, visual art exhibitions, and community programs presented both on-site and throughout the city. Visit Art House at The Hendrix (345 Marin Boulevard) in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Art House’s 2026 programming is made possible through the generous support of An Anonymous American Foundation; an anonymous donor from the Jewish Communal Fund; Hudson County Cultural Affairs’ Arts in Education and Hudson County History Partnership Programs; Hudson County Parks, the Exchange Place Alliance; the Hudson County Department of Parks and Recreation; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the NEA; the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID); KRE; NJ Beer Co.; the NJEDA Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program Phase II – Public Space Activation; Panepinto Properties; public funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund; RWJ Barnabas | Jersey City Medical Center; SILVERMAN; Super Buy Rite; Tito’s; and many generous volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
